AstraZeneca Survey: Healthcare Professionals Leading Source of Information on Company's Prescription Saving...( WILMINGTON Del. July 23 /- More t...)

WILMINGTON, Del., July 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- More than a third of the people who contacted AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) to inquire about the company's prescription savings programs learned of the programs from their doctors or pharmacists, according to a year-long survey of more than 12,000 patients.

The survey found that 35 percent of the patients who called AstraZeneca's information center regarding prescription savings programs said they were referred by healthcare professionals. Another 14 percent learned of the program from brochures, which also are available in doctors' offices, hospitals, clinics and pharmacies.

"AstraZeneca understands that our medicines don't do patients any good if they cannot afford to pay for them," said Tony Zook, President and CEO, AstraZeneca North America. "We connect families with our patient assistance programs in a variety of ways, but our most valuable tool is providing doctors and pharmacists with the information they need to help their patients."

As they meet with healthcare providers, AstraZeneca's pharmaceutical sales specialists share up-to-date clinical information on medicines and other issues impacting patient care, including adherence, educational materials and prescription savings programs.

The study's data shows that the message on patient assistance programs is getting through in a variety of ways. AstraZeneca asked 12,487 patients who contacted its information center between April 2007 and March 2008 where they learned about the company's patient assistance programs. The results:

-- Doctor/pharmacist 35 percent

-- Brochure 14 percent

-- Advertising 9 percent

-- AZ Web sites 7 percent